Produce Safety University Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Good Handling Practices (GHPs) 1

Learning Objectives 2

Produce Benefits Benefits of consuming fresh produce far outweigh the risks Produce safety is important And food safety risks can be minimized 3

Produce Outbreaks by Item, Source: FDA

Produce Contamination Sources Water, manure, and soil Insects, rodents, and other wild life Equipment cross contamination Human handling Chemicals and pesticides Physical hazards (glass, plastic, wood, etc.) 5

Microbial Growth at Different Temperatures 6 TimeRefrigeration 36°F Room 70°F Body 98°F 01 cell 4 hours1 cell16 cells4,096 cells 6 hours1 cell64 cells262, 144 cells 24 hours2 cells16,777,2164,722,336,483,0 00,000,000,000 cells Ohio State University Bulletin 901

GAP and GHP Programs 7

GAPs and GHPs Principle One: Water Source Use safe drinking water – When in contact with plant or produce – When harvest washing produce Use minimal water quality for non-plant or produce contact Test soil for coliforms in frequently flooded farm land 8

GAPs and GHPs Principle Two: Manure Use and Handling Composted manure Aged manure Location of manure 9

Raw Manure Is raw manure incorporated at least 2 weeks prior to planting and/or 120 days prior to harvest? 10 PlantingHarvest 14 Days120 Days

GAPs and GHPs Principle Three: Worker Health and Hygiene Principle Four: Sanitary facilities 11

GAPs and GHPs Principle Five: Field Sanitation Harvest containers cleaned and sanitized Equipment cleaned periodically Avoid soil or unsafe water contamination 12

GAPs and GHPs Principle Six: Packing Facility Sanitation Good handling practices (SOPs) Avoid cross contamination with equipment, animals (wild and domestic birds) Pest prevention program 13

GAPs and GHPs Principle Seven: Transportation Maintain temperatures Maintain refrigeration units (check for leaks) Load trucks to prevent damage Clean transport vehicles regularly 14

GAPs and GHPs Principle Eight: Traceability One step back; one step forward Date of harvest/pack date Field identification (may be color codes) Worker identification Recordkeeping 15

GAPs and GHPs Why GAP? Required by some buyers Enhances marketability Good Business Practice 16

GAPs and GHPs How to get started USDA GAPs audit Third party company GAPs audit 17

GAPs and Organic Certification Certified by USDA accredited agent More in-depth than GAPs audit Annual renewal just like GAPs 18

What are your options? Require a formal GAPs audit Require self-assessment checklist 19

What are your options? ISU Extension Initiates conversation 20

GAPs Resources GAP Websites – FDA, Cornell, Penn State, UC Davis, and others Extension Offices State Agricultural Departments Health Departments Farm to school Other farmers 21

GAP Activity 22

GAP Activity 23

GAP Activity 24

GAP Activity 25

GAP Activity 26

GAP Activity 27

GAP Activity 28

Questions and Discussion 29